May Day.

Sorry I've gone missing for most of the Lusty Month of May . . . our design studio, Thunderwing Press, is in the throes of our very first wedding season, and it's been absolutely bonkers (but in a totally lovely way). Luckily though, we have gorgeous gardens in which to wander and walk the dog, when in need of natural inspiration.

During this dreamy, steamy season, the blossoming of our mammoth Magnolia tree occurs, fragrancing our entire yard (and perhaps the entire county) with the most heavenly scent imaginable . . . it's like actual love wafting through the atmosphere.

Above: One of our beloved Magnolias, and a lilac-adorned vignette in our powder room.

On Sunday we managed to take a brief respite from mountains of save-the-dates and escort cards, to attend a lovely fund-raiser for Manitoga, designer Russel Wright's historic woodland home (in our 'hood of Garrison, New York). Part of the event was honoring Carole & Gordon Segal, the inspiring founders of Crate&Barrel, who told wonderful stories about how they began their affordable, yet stylish table-setting empire. My favorite story being that of how they got their name . . . they'd spent all their funds on purchasing the initial merchandise from artisans overseas, and when they returned home to their first storefront in chicago, they realized they'd forgotten to budget in display tables and fixtures. So, they set everything up on the Scandinavian shipping crates that the merchandise arrived in . . . et voila!

During the event, it was announced that if you had a green dot under your chair, you'd be gifted with Setting Your Table Wright by Gary & Laura Maurer, a beautiful new book about Russel's modern linen designs, and I was the happy dot-holder! I've already read it cover-to-cover, and can't wait to hunt down some of Wright's early 1950s plaid table cloths for back-yard picnics, and attempt his legendary spaghetti and meat sauce recipe. For all lovers of classic American mid-century design, be sure to add this to your wish list.

Above: Wright's Simtex linens c.1950s (Right): Russel and his daughter Annie (who is now a chef) enjoying a meal together outdoors (his favorite place to dine).